US20190106929A1 - Adjustable Threshold Device - Google Patents
Adjustable Threshold Device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20190106929A1 US20190106929A1 US15/728,851 US201715728851A US2019106929A1 US 20190106929 A1 US20190106929 A1 US 20190106929A1 US 201715728851 A US201715728851 A US 201715728851A US 2019106929 A1 US2019106929 A1 US 2019106929A1
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- Prior art keywords
- surface portion
- threshold
- door
- threshold surface
- plate
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B1/00—Border constructions of openings in walls, floors, or ceilings; Frames to be rigidly mounted in such openings
- E06B1/70—Sills; Thresholds
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B7/00—Special arrangements or measures in connection with doors or windows
- E06B7/14—Measures for draining-off condensed water or water leaking-in frame members for draining off condensation water, throats at the bottom of a sash
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B1/00—Border constructions of openings in walls, floors, or ceilings; Frames to be rigidly mounted in such openings
- E06B1/70—Sills; Thresholds
- E06B2001/707—Thresholds with special provision for insulation
Definitions
- the present invention relates to adjustable threshold devices.
- Door thresholds may be configured to provide a seal between the threshold and the bottom of the door.
- U.S. Pat. No. 9,127,503 discloses a sill assembly having a component for overlapping with a door.
- U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,976,584, 1,936,641, and 1,729,243 disclose a threshold or a sill having a component for overlapping with a plate or a strip extending from the door.
- the devices of these patents do not disclose a surface that is risible to cover a door lip mating surface.
- the present inventor recognized that it would be desirable to provide a threshold that has an upward extending mating surface when the door is closed to provide increased thermal and weather sealing, but also provides a substantially unobstructed threshold for a user to traverse when the door is open.
- the president inventor recognized that providing a substantially unobstructed user-crossable threshold increases the ease with which users can cross the threshold.
- the present inventor recognized that this can be beneficial for persons with disabilities and for persons attempting to move items across the threshold, whether with the use of wheels or otherwise.
- the present inventor recognized that a substantially unobstructed threshold reduces a tripping hazard at the threshold and therefore has the potential to reduce accidents and injuries.
- An adjustable door threshold device has a user-traversable threshold surface, a transverse surface, and a lift mechanism.
- the user-traversable threshold surface has a first surface portion and a second surface portion.
- the transverse surface is positioned transverse to the first surface portion and between the first surface portion and second surface portion.
- the lift mechanism is operable to move the first surface portion from a lowered position to a raised position. When the first surface portion is in the raised position adjacent portions of the first surface portion and the second surface portion are substantially horizontally aligned and the transverse surface does not extend substantially above the first surface portion. When the first surface portion is in the lowered position the first surface portion is recessed from the second surface portion and the transverse surface extends above the first surface portion for overlapped mating with a door lip.
- the first surface portion moves as a consequence of the movement of a door at the threshold.
- the first surface portion When the door is opened, the first surface portion will move to the raised position so that there is substantially unobstructed pathway across the door threshold.
- the door closes the first surface portion will lower to expose transverse surface. And the door lip extending from the door will overlappingly mate with the transverse surface.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an adjustable threshold device and a door.
- FIG. 2 is a left side view of the device of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a right side view of the device of FIG. 1 with an interior plate in a raised position.
- FIG. 4 is a right side view of the device of FIG. 1 with an interior plate in a lowered position.
- FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 with certain parts not shown.
- FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a door lever assembly and cam of the device of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of certain interior plates of the device of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 9 is a fragmented view of an exterior plate of the device of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 with certain plates not shown.
- FIG. 11 is a right side view of the device of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 12 is a right side view of a second embodiment adjustable threshold device with an interior plate in a lowered position.
- FIG. 13 is a right side view of the device of FIG. 12 with an interior plate in a raised position
- FIG. 14 is a left side view of a third embodiment adjustable threshold device with an interior plate in a raised position.
- FIG. 15 is a left side view of the device of FIG. 14 with an interior plate in a lowered position.
- FIG. 16 is a side view of an adjustable threshold device of the invention in an exemplary deployment.
- FIG. 17 is a block diagram of certain components of an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 1 One embodiment of an adjustable threshold device 10 is shown in FIG. 1 .
- the device 10 comprises a subsill assembly 12 , an exterior top plate 14 , an interior top plate 16 , an interior movable plate 18 , a door lever assembly 20 , and a linear actuator, such as a cam 22 .
- the device is shown in use with one door in FIG. 1 , but could be used with multiple doors.
- the device can be produced in any width and depth desired for a given application.
- the subsill assembly 12 comprises an interior subsill 24 and an exterior subsill 26 .
- the interior and exterior subsills 24 , 26 are joined by a thermal break 28 .
- the thermal break is or comprises a plastic, such as polyamide.
- the subsills 24 , 26 each comprises a t-shaped joining channel 34 , 36 , which receive corresponding t-shaped portions 30 , 32 of the thermal break.
- the thermal break joins or bridges the subsills 24 , 26 .
- the subsill assembly 12 may comprise opposite side plates, such as side plate 41 shown in FIG. 8 .
- Fasteners (not shown) fix the side plate 41 to the subsill assembly and the plates 14 , 16 , 18 .
- the fasteners extend through apertures 45 in side plate 41 to corresponding apertures or channels 43 in the subsill assembly 12 and plates 14 , 16 , and 18 .
- the interior subsill 24 comprises a first floor 38 and a second floor 40 .
- the first and second floors are intersected by a first vertical wall 42 .
- a platform 44 At the top of the first vertical wall is a platform 44 .
- a first gasket 46 On the platform is a first gasket 46 , which may be or comprise rubber.
- the first vertical wall extends below the first and second floors and provides support for a first mounting channel 48 .
- the first mounting channel 48 is opposite a second mounting channel 50 .
- a plate 54 of a mounting bracket or retainer clip 52 is received in the first and second mounting channels 48 , 50 .
- the mounting bracket or retainer clip 52 is fastened to a floor 9 , which may be a concrete slab floor, by a fastener 56 .
- the first and second mounting channels 48 , 50 are located below the second floor 40 .
- a front wall 58 Opposite the first vertical wall 42 across the second floor 40 is a front wall 58 .
- the pivot mount may be curved, circular, or partially curved or circular in cross-section.
- the plates 14 and 16 each comprise front lip portions 62 , 64 , respectively, as shown in FIG. 7 .
- the front lip portions 62 , 64 each comprise recesses 66 , 68 , respectively.
- the recesses 66 , 68 receive the pivot mount 60 to join the plates 14 , 16 to the subsill 24 .
- the recess 68 is a pivot recess, and the plate 18 is pivotal about the pivot mount 60 between a raised position, as shown in FIG.
- the front lip portions 62 , 64 may be fixed to the plates 14 , 16 , respectively with fasteners (not shown) at apertures 69 a, 69 b, 70 a, 70 b.
- the door lever assembly 20 comprises a base plate 72 , a shaft 74 , a hollow shaft or bushing 76 , an actuation lever 78 , an actuation rack 84 , a spring 94 , and a door lever 96 .
- the actuation lever 78 comprises a mounting aperture 80 and a lock bolt 82 .
- the lever 78 is received about the hollow shaft 76 at the mounting aperture 80 and the lock bolt 82 secures the lever about the hollow shaft 76 by compression force.
- the hollow shaft 76 is pivotal about the shaft 74 .
- the rack 84 comprises a fastener aperture 86 .
- a fastener such as a shoulder screw 90 , connects the rack 84 , via the aperture 83 , to an end 81 of the lever 78 .
- the door lever 96 comprises a shaft aperture 99 and a door lever cam 98 opposite the aperture 99 .
- the door lever cam 98 is mounted to rotate on shaft 97 extending from lever 96 .
- the lever 96 is fixed to the shaft 76 at the aperture 99 .
- a door lever lock bolt 100 operates to shrink the aperture 99 to grip the shaft 76 and hold the lever 96 relative to the shaft 76 .
- a spring 94 is connected to the lever 96 to bias the lever 96 and the door lever assembly 20 to a home position.
- the spring 94 has an upper extension 102 and a lower extension 104 .
- the upper extension 102 engages the lever 96 and the lower extension 104 engages a fixed component, such as the base plate 72 .
- the lever 96 moves the upper extension 102 rotationally about shaft 76 to cause the spring 94 to further coil.
- the bias of the spring 94 urges the lever in the opposite direction of the additional coiling.
- the spring moves the lever 96 rotationally in the direction B and the door lever assembly 20 to the home position, as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the base plate 72 is fixed to the first floor 38 by one or more fasteners 122 .
- a camshaft 106 is mounted to the first floor 38 by a bearing block assembly 124 .
- the bearing block assembly 124 comprises a bottom bearing block 126 , and a top bearing block 128 .
- the bearing blocks 126 , 128 each comprise a camshaft recesses 130 , 132 , respectively.
- the camshaft recess 130 , 132 are configured to surround and mate with the camshaft 106 . As a result, the recesses may be cylindrical when the camshaft is cylindrical.
- the blocks 126 , 128 completely surround the camshaft at the location of intersection with the camshaft.
- the blocks 126 , 128 can be joined together with a fastener 134 , extending into or through apertures 136 , 138 .
- the same fastener that joins the blocks 126 , 128 together extend through each block and into the first floor 38 to secure the blocks 126 , 128 to the floor 38 .
- the blocks then hold the camshaft in position relative to the floor and relative to the rack 84 .
- the camshaft can rotate within the bearing blocks 126 , 128 .
- the camshaft 106 comprises a cam 22 .
- the cam 22 comprises a roller 120 .
- First and second arms 114 , 116 extend from the camshaft 106 .
- a central pin 118 is fixed to the first and second arms 114 , 116 .
- the central pin extends through the roller 120 and the roller rotates about the central pin between the first and second arms 114 , 116 .
- the cam is located closer to a distal end 112 of the camshaft and farther from a proximal end 108 of the camshaft.
- the cam can be located at any place along the camshaft. While the camshaft is shown with only one cam, in some embodiments multiple cams are provided along the camshaft.
- An interface element 110 is located at the proximal end 108 of the camshaft.
- the interface element may comprise a square, pentagon, hexagon, or other polygon cross-section to mate with a correspondingly shaped central aperture 93 of the pinion 92 .
- the pinion/gear has a toothed perimeter surface. The teeth of the rack 84 engage the tooth perimeter surface of the pinion to convey motion of the shaft 76 and lever 96 to the camshaft 106 .
- a second vertical wall 140 Opposite of wall 42 , about the first floor 38 , is a second vertical wall 140 . In some embodiments, there is a gap 142 between the distal end 144 of the plate 18 and the wall 140 .
- Wall 140 is taller than wall 42 and wall 58 .
- the wall 140 comprises a platform 146 .
- the platform 146 supports a second gasket 148 , which may comprise rubber.
- the top of platform and/or the second gasket may be positioned below the top of the platform 44 and/or first gasket to account for thicker distal ends 143 , 144 of the plates 16 , 18 as compared to a mid-area of the plates 16 , 18 .
- the plates 16 , 18 can rest on the gaskets 46 , 148 .
- subsill 26 comprises a floor 150 , a first wall 152 , and a second wall 154 .
- the first and second walls 152 , 154 are engaged by the exterior top plate 14 .
- the second wall 154 comprises a top engagement portion.
- the top engagement portion comprises a horizontal surface 156 , a recess 160 , and an angled surface 158 .
- the plate 14 comprises a second wall 162 .
- the second wall 162 comprises a bottom engagement portion.
- the bottom engagement portion comprises an angled portion 164 and a hook end 166 .
- the first wall 152 comprises a top engagement portion.
- the top engagement portion of the first wall comprises a horizontal surface 168 , a recess 172 , and an angled surface 170 .
- the plate 14 comprises a first wall 174 opposite of the second wall 162 .
- the first wall comprises a bottom engagement portion.
- the bottom engagement portion comprises an angled portion 176 and a hook end 178 .
- the plate 16 has a shaft aperture 180 that the shafts, 76 , 74 extend through.
- the actuation lever 78 is located about the shaft 76 below the plate 16 and adjacent to the pinion 92 .
- base plate 72 comprises a bottom plate 182 and a side plate 184 .
- the top of the side plate 182 comprises a lip 185 .
- the rack 84 is positioned under the lip 185 and adjacent or against the outside surface of the side plate 184 .
- the lip 185 may hold the teeth 88 of the rack 84 engaged with the pinion 92 or otherwise prevent substantial vertical movement of the rack.
- the side plate 184 may prevent movement of the rack transverse to the rack's longitudinal extent. Therefore, the base plate may provide a guide for the rack.
- the guide assists in translating the rotational movement of the actuation lever 78 to linear movement of the rack by providing a linear track comprising the lip 185 and the outside wall of side plate 184 .
- the actuation lever 78 is pivotal relative to the rack at the shoulder screw 90 .
- the linear movement of the rack is translated to rotational movement of the pinion 92 and camshaft 106 .
- the adjustable threshold device 10 is shown in FIG. 1 with a door 8 .
- the door 8 is attached to a doorjamb (not shown) via one or more hinges (not shown), which are attached to the door on a hinge side 8 b of the door 8 .
- the door is pivotal about its hinged connection to the doorjamb in the direction A of FIG. 1 .
- an interior surface 8 a of the door 8 will contact the door lever cam 98 .
- the door lever 96 As the door is moved further in direction A, the door will move the door lever 96 in the direction A rotationally about the shaft 74 .
- the movement of the door lever 96 causes the shaft 76 to rotate relative to shaft 74 .
- the rotation of shaft 76 causes the actuation lever 78 to rotate with the shaft 76 .
- the movement of actuation lever 78 about the shaft in the direction A causes the rack 84 to be moved away from the subsill 26 in the direction C of FIG. 5 .
- the movement of the rack 84 in the direction C causes the pinion 92 and the camshaft 106 to rotate in the direction E. This causes the cam 22 to move from a lowered position, shown in FIGS. 4 and 10 , to a raised position, shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 .
- the movement of the cam 22 to the raised position causes the cam 22 to contact the bottom of plate 18 and to move plate 18 from its lowered/recessed position, shown in FIGS. 1 and 11 , two it's raised position, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- the roller 120 roles along the bottom surface of the plate 18 as the camshaft 106 rotates.
- the rolling engagement of the cam relative to the plate 18 reduces friction over a non-roller cam.
- a non-roller cam may be used.
- a stop block 186 Adjacent the camshaft 106 , is a stop block 186 , as shown in FIG. 2 .
- the stop block limits the rotation of the cam in the direction E.
- the stop block 186 stops the rotation of the cam 22 at a location that is past the 12 o'clock or straight vertical position. Therefore when a person walks on plate 18 or when weight is provided on plate 18 , the weight applied to plate 18 will be transferred through the cam to the stop block 186 . The weight will cause the cam to rotate or to want to rotate towards the stop block 186 . As the cam 22 is past the 12 o'clock position the weight applied to plate 18 will not cause the cam 22 to rotate in the direction F towards the home or lowered position.
- the stop block 186 is fixed to or formed with the floor 38 and the wall 42 . In some embodiments, the stop block 186 stops the cam 22 at 92° from its home position. In some embodiments, the door lever 96 rotates 20° from its home position to its full open position about shaft 74 .
- the first and second arms 114 , 116 of the cam 22 contact the stop block 186 . Therefore, the roller 120 does not contact the stop block 186 and is not prevented from slight rotational movement due to a load being applied to plate 18 .
- the plate 18 resting on the cam 22 will lower as the cam moves with the camshaft to the lowered position.
- the plate 18 may rest on or be adjacent to gaskets 46 , 148 .
- the gaskets 46 , 148 provide a noise dampening or eliminating feature to prevent noise that would otherwise be caused by metal-to-metal contact between the plate 18 and platforms 44 , 146 .
- the device 10 comprises a water drainage system, as shown in FIG. 11 .
- the water drainage system comprises gap 141 and a plurality of water drainage apertures, 188 , 190 , 192 .
- Water drainage aperture 188 is located in wall 140 at or adjacent the intersection of the wall 140 with the floor 38 of subsill 24 .
- the water drainage aperture 190 is located in wall 152 at or adjacent a floor 150 of subsill 26 .
- Water drainage aperture 192 is located in wall 154 at or adjacent the intersection between wall 154 and floor 150 .
- Water drainage aperture 192 provides an exit from the device 10 allowing water to exit the device on an exterior side of the door 8 .
- the door 8 may be provided with a first bottom seal 194 .
- the first bottom seal 194 is attached to a bottom surface 199 of the door 8 .
- the first bottom seal 194 is configured to engage a top surface 195 of plate 14 to create a seal between the door and subsill 26 .
- the door may have an interior lip 198 .
- the interior lip 198 extends below a first bottom surface 199 of the door.
- the lip 198 is integral with the door.
- the lip 198 is created by a plate or other component attached to the door and extending down below the first bottom surface 199 .
- the lip 198 vertically overlaps the wall 140 .
- a second seal element 196 may be provided on an exterior face of the lip 198 .
- the seal element 196 is configured to engage the wall 140 to create a seal between the door and the subsill 24 .
- the water drainage system of the device 10 provides multiple water flow paths for water to exit the device 10 .
- Water entering under the door on surface 195 may fall along the first flow path 200 at the gap 141 between an end of surface 195 and wall 140 .
- the water will fall through the gap 141 and into the chamber 206 between wall 140 and wall 152 .
- the water will fall into a baffle 204 .
- the baffle comprises a sponge material.
- the upper surface of the thermal break 28 is slanted downward towards the exterior as shown in FIG. 11 . This causes the water in the baffle 204 and in the chamber 206 to drain and flow towards water drainage aperture 190 .
- the water will flow through the water drainage aperture 190 . Since the floor 150 of subsill 26 is slanted downwards towards the exterior, gravity will draw the water along the floor 150 , through the aperture 192 , and out of the device 10 .
- Water that passes gap 141 will be blocked from further interior travel by the lip 198 . If the water passes the seal 196 , then it will fall along a second flow path 202 beginning in the gap 193 between the wall 140 and the lip 198 . It will fall on gasket 148 and platform 146 . There may be a gap between the bottom of distal end 144 of plate 18 and the top of gasket 148 , so that water may move between the plate and gasket down onto floor 38 .
- Floor 38 is slanted toward the exterior. Therefore, gravity will cause water accumulating on the floor 38 to flow towards and through aperture 188 . The water will then pass through the baffle 204 and chamber 206 , through aperture 190 along the floor 150 by gravity towards aperture 192 and out of the device 10 .
- the device 10 is typically placed at a door threshold.
- the device 10 may be located between an exterior finish surface 57 and an interior finish floor 59 .
- the exterior finish surface is an exterior concrete paver.
- Seal elements 208 , 210 , 212 , 214 are placed at or adjacent the interior and exterior bottom edges as shown in FIGS. 2 and 11 to prevent moisture and debris from entering under the device 10 .
- plates 16 , 18 are provided with traction recesses 187 , 189 and plate 14 is provided with traction ridges 191 .
- the plate 18 When the door opens it causes the plate 18 to move to the raised position so that there is little or no drop across the threshold. This provides an unobstructed or substantially unobstructed threshold surface in the directions G and H of FIG. 2 .
- the upper surface of the distal end 144 of the plate 18 is aligned or substantially horizontally aligned with a top surface of wall 140 and the top surface 195 of plate 14 . Therefore the distal end 144 of the plate 18 may be co-planar or substantially co-planar with a portion of plate 14 that comprises top surface 195 .
- Plate 18 provides an inclined to the top of wall 140 which is aligned or substantially aligned with surface 195 .
- Surface 195 continues to a slight downward sloping surface 197 , which then transitions to an exterior surface, such as exterior surface 57 .
- This arrangement makes it easy to cross the threshold where the individual or item crossing the threshold does not have to overcome a step or abrupt change in elevation. This is particularly advantageous for a rolling items, such as a wheelchair or a cart. Moreover, this arrangement reduces a tripping hazard for those walking across the threshold.
- the plate 18 When the door is closed, the plate 18 is in the lowered position so that a vertical upper surface 216 of wall 140 is exposed.
- the exposed vertical upper surface 216 of the wall 140 provides a ceiling surface for the lip 198 of the door to engage with. This overlapping arrangement provides improved thermal and weather sealing of the door at the threshold.
- the cam and camshaft are replaced by another type of linear actuator, such as a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or an electro-mechanical actuator.
- a second embodiment adjustable threshold device 220 is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 .
- Device 220 is the same as device 10 except as shown and described herein. Therefore the same numerals will be used for components of device 220 that are the same as components of device 10 .
- device 220 comprises a linear actuator 222 , such as a hydraulic or pneumatic linear actuator.
- Actuator 222 replaces the cam and camshaft of device 10 .
- the actuator comprises a housing 224 containing a piston space 226 .
- the actuator comprises a piston 228 that is movable relative to the piston space and the housing. The piston is moveable between a home/recessed position, as shown in FIG. 12 , where the piston occupies the piston space and a raised/deployed position, as shown in FIG.
- the piston extends out of the housing.
- the distal end of the piston supports, at least partially, the plate 18 and moves the plate between the lowered position, as shown in FIG. 12 , and the raised position, as shown in FIG. 13 .
- the piston may contact the underside plate 18 directly or may contact one or more intermediate components between the piston and the plate, such as a contact pad 229 .
- the actuator 222 may be supported by a base 230 connected to the floor 38 . Since the floor 38 is slanted, the bottom of the base 230 may be shaped, such as triangular shaped, to provide a top level surface for supporting the actuator 222 .
- the door lever assembly 20 is used with the actuator 220 .
- the rack 84 and pinion 92 are not used, instead the actuation lever 78 operates to open a valve (not shown) to cause a fluid, such as air or liquid, to flow into the piston space to cause the piston to move to the raised position.
- the lever can close or open a valve to cause fluid to escape the piston space to cause the piston to move to the recessed position.
- actuator 220 is an electro-mechanical actuator, comprising a motor (not shown), a lead screw, and a nut (not shown).
- the motor drives the nut to rotate.
- the nut is engaged with the screw.
- the rotation of the nut moves the screw linearly relative to the nut. Therefore the screw can move as piston 228 moves relative to the housing 224 .
- the door lever assembly 20 or a portion thereof, actuates an electronic switch 258 , which signals the electro-mechanical actuator to extend or retract the screw or piston.
- the door lever assembly 20 is not used, an electronic switch or control interface 258 is provided in communication with a controller 254 .
- the switch or control 258 may be mounted on the wall or adjacent the door, which when actuated causes the actuator 222 to raise or lower.
- the switch or control interface 258 is centrally located within a building at a location that is not adjacent to the door.
- the electronic switch or control interface 258 is provided remotely from the device 220 or the building containing the device 220 , and is accessible over a network, such as via a computer or mobile electronic device.
- a combination of electronic switches or control interfaces, electro-mechanical actuators, and hydraulic or pneumatic linear actuators can be used.
- a control interface 258 may signal the controller 254 to instruct an electro-mechanical actuator 256 to open or close a control valve that actuates the hydraulic or pneumatic linear actuator 222 .
- multiple actuators 222 are used to raise and lower plate 18 .
- the device comprises a sensor that reports to the controller 254 the present state of the plate and or actuator, e.g. raised or lowered. Therefore, the controller knows that position state of the plate 18 and the actuator. In some embodiments, the controller stores in its memory at least the last state of the adjustable threshold device.
- a third embodiment adjustable threshold device 240 is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 .
- Device 240 is the same as device 10 except as shown and described herein. Therefore the same numerals will be used for components of device 240 that are the same as components of device 10 .
- device 240 comprises a linear actuator 242 , such as a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electro-mechanical linear actuator.
- the linear actuator may be described as a ram.
- the actuator 242 comprises a housing 243 containing a piston space 244 .
- the housing 243 is pivotally anchored with a base end shaft 248 to a base anchor 249 .
- the distal end of the piston is pivotally attached to the cam 22 , such as to the first and/or second arms 114 , 116 at or adjacent the central pin 118 .
- the actuator 242 has a retracted position, as shown in FIG. 14 , where the piston 246 is within the piston space 244 and an extended position, as shown in FIG. 15 , where the piston is extended from the piston space.
- the piston rotates, at least partially, about the camshaft 106 . Therefore when moving to the extended position the piston moves forward, in the direction of vertical wall 140 , and down. When moving to the retracted position, the piston moves backward and up.
- the home or retracted position of the piston is a raised position and corresponds to the raised position of the plate 18 .
- the extended position of the piston corresponds to the lowered position of the plate 18 .
- an electronic motor drives an output shaft that comprises an output gear (not shown) that is enmeshed with pinion 92 of device 10 .
- a switch or control interface 258 usually via a controller 254 , signals the motor to rotate the output shaft in either rotational direction to cause the camshaft to rotate, which causes the cam to raise or lower.
- a rack 84 is not used, but rather the assembly engages the switch 258 .
- the actuation lever 78 may engage the switch or the switch may be configured to otherwise detect the rotational movement of the shaft 76 without the use of an actuation lever 78 .
- an interior motion sensor 250 and/or an exterior motion sensor 252 is used.
- the motion sensor 250 , 252 is or comprises a passive infrared sensor, a microwave sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or an optical sensor.
- the sensor may have a wired or wireless transceiver.
- the motion sensors 250 , 252 are in signal communication to the controller 254 , such as by wired or wireless communication.
- the motion sensors are configured to detect motion within a sensing field 262 , 264 .
- Exemplary sensing fields are shown in FIG. 16 .
- the sensing fields extend in front of the door 8 on an exterior and/or and interior side of the door.
- the sensing fields may be wider or narrower than is shown in FIG. 16 .
- the sensing fields may extend closer or farther from the door than is shown in FIG. 16 .
- the motion sensors have multiple sensing fields, which may overlap.
- the sensors 250 , 252 are shown mounted to the wall 260 above the door opening, but they may be mounted in other places as long as the sensing fields are directed to area(s) in front of the door.
- Motion sensors 250 , 252 are configured to signal to the controller 254 when motion is detected with the sensing fields. Motion may be detected when a person or object approaches the door and is within or partially within, the sensing field. When the motion sensor detects motion within the sensing field, the motion sensor will send a signal to the controller 254 . Then the controller will send instructions to cause the linear actuator to raise the plate 18 to the raised position. The controller may send instructions to the linear actuator itself, as in the case of an electro-mechanical linear actuator, or to an intermediate component that will then cause the linear actuator to actuate, such as by signaling the intermediate actuator 256 that actuates a valve that controls the linear actuator 222 , 242 . In some embodiments, the door is openable by a door actuator (not shown).
- the controller may first instruct the door actuator to open the door. Then, at least when the door has cleared the area above the plate 18 , the controller may instruct the linear actuator to raise the plate 18 to the raised position. After a pre-determined amount of time has passed without the controller receiving a signal from the motion sensor(s) indicating motion within the sensing field, the controller will send a signal to cause the linear actuator to lower the plate 18 . The controller may then send a signal to the door actuator to close the door 8 .
- controller 254 comprises a processor, a memory, and a wired and/or wireless transceiver.
- Each of the processor, a memory, and a wired and/or wireless transceiver are connected to each other by one or more internal communication channels.
- the memory may comprise a non-volatile memory such as flash memory and/or a volatile memory such as RAM. Such components are in communication with one another across one or more communication channels.
- the controller comprises a battery and or is connectable to an external power source. Other architectures for the controller are possible, including architectures with more or fewer components.
- the controller comprises an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having one or more processors and memory blocks including ROM, RAM, EEPROM, Flash, or the like; a programmed general purpose computer having a microprocessor, microcontroller, or other processor, a memory, and an input/output device; a programmable integrated electronic circuit; a programmable logic device; or the like. Any device or combination of devices on which a finite state machine capable of implementing the procedures described herein can be used as the controller.
- ASIC application-specific integrated circuit
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to adjustable threshold devices.
- Door thresholds may be configured to provide a seal between the threshold and the bottom of the door. U.S. Pat. No. 9,127,503 discloses a sill assembly having a component for overlapping with a door. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,976,584, 1,936,641, and 1,729,243, disclose a threshold or a sill having a component for overlapping with a plate or a strip extending from the door. However the devices of these patents do not disclose a surface that is risible to cover a door lip mating surface.
- The present inventor recognized that it would be desirable to provide a threshold that has an upward extending mating surface when the door is closed to provide increased thermal and weather sealing, but also provides a substantially unobstructed threshold for a user to traverse when the door is open. The president inventor recognized that providing a substantially unobstructed user-crossable threshold increases the ease with which users can cross the threshold. The present inventor recognized that this can be beneficial for persons with disabilities and for persons attempting to move items across the threshold, whether with the use of wheels or otherwise. The present inventor recognized that a substantially unobstructed threshold reduces a tripping hazard at the threshold and therefore has the potential to reduce accidents and injuries.
- An adjustable door threshold device is disclosed. The device has a user-traversable threshold surface, a transverse surface, and a lift mechanism. The user-traversable threshold surface has a first surface portion and a second surface portion. The transverse surface is positioned transverse to the first surface portion and between the first surface portion and second surface portion. The lift mechanism is operable to move the first surface portion from a lowered position to a raised position. When the first surface portion is in the raised position adjacent portions of the first surface portion and the second surface portion are substantially horizontally aligned and the transverse surface does not extend substantially above the first surface portion. When the first surface portion is in the lowered position the first surface portion is recessed from the second surface portion and the transverse surface extends above the first surface portion for overlapped mating with a door lip.
- In some embodiments, the first surface portion moves as a consequence of the movement of a door at the threshold. When the door is opened, the first surface portion will move to the raised position so that there is substantially unobstructed pathway across the door threshold. When the door closes the first surface portion will lower to expose transverse surface. And the door lip extending from the door will overlappingly mate with the transverse surface.
- Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an adjustable threshold device and a door. -
FIG. 2 is a left side view of the device ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a right side view of the device ofFIG. 1 with an interior plate in a raised position. -
FIG. 4 is a right side view of the device ofFIG. 1 with an interior plate in a lowered position. -
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the device ofFIG. 1 with certain parts not shown. -
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a door lever assembly and cam of the device ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of certain interior plates of the device ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the device ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 9 is a fragmented view of an exterior plate of the device ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the device ofFIG. 1 with certain plates not shown. -
FIG. 11 is a right side view of the device ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 12 is a right side view of a second embodiment adjustable threshold device with an interior plate in a lowered position. -
FIG. 13 is a right side view of the device ofFIG. 12 with an interior plate in a raised position -
FIG. 14 is a left side view of a third embodiment adjustable threshold device with an interior plate in a raised position. -
FIG. 15 is a left side view of the device ofFIG. 14 with an interior plate in a lowered position. -
FIG. 16 is a side view of an adjustable threshold device of the invention in an exemplary deployment. -
FIG. 17 is a block diagram of certain components of an embodiment of the invention. - The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. For the purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature used provides a plural understanding of the present invention. While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, the drawings and this description demonstrate specific embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
- One embodiment of an
adjustable threshold device 10 is shown inFIG. 1 . Thedevice 10 comprises asubsill assembly 12, anexterior top plate 14, aninterior top plate 16, an interiormovable plate 18, adoor lever assembly 20, and a linear actuator, such as acam 22. The device is shown in use with one door inFIG. 1 , but could be used with multiple doors. The device can be produced in any width and depth desired for a given application. - The
subsill assembly 12 comprises aninterior subsill 24 and anexterior subsill 26. The interior andexterior subsills thermal break 28. In some embodiments, the thermal break is or comprises a plastic, such as polyamide. Thesubsills channel shaped portions subsills - The
subsill assembly 12 may comprise opposite side plates, such asside plate 41 shown inFIG. 8 . Fasteners (not shown) fix theside plate 41 to the subsill assembly and theplates apertures 45 inside plate 41 to corresponding apertures orchannels 43 in thesubsill assembly 12 andplates - As shown in
FIG. 5 , theinterior subsill 24 comprises afirst floor 38 and asecond floor 40. The first and second floors are intersected by a first vertical wall 42. At the top of the first vertical wall is a platform 44. On the platform is afirst gasket 46, which may be or comprise rubber. The first vertical wall extends below the first and second floors and provides support for afirst mounting channel 48. The first mountingchannel 48 is opposite a second mountingchannel 50. Aplate 54 of a mounting bracket orretainer clip 52 is received in the first and second mountingchannels retainer clip 52 is fastened to afloor 9, which may be a concrete slab floor, by afastener 56. The first and second mountingchannels second floor 40. - Opposite the first vertical wall 42 across the
second floor 40 is afront wall 58. At the top of thefront wall 58 is apivot mount 60, the pivot mount may be curved, circular, or partially curved or circular in cross-section. Theplates front lip portions 62, 64, respectively, as shown inFIG. 7 . Thefront lip portions 62, 64 each comprise recesses 66, 68, respectively. Therecesses pivot mount 60 to join theplates subsill 24. Therecess 68 is a pivot recess, and theplate 18 is pivotal about thepivot mount 60 between a raised position, as shown inFIG. 2 , and a lowered position, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 4 . Thefront lip portions 62, 64 may be fixed to theplates apertures - At and above the
first floor 38 is thedoor lever assembly 20 and thecam 22. Referring toFIG. 6 , thedoor lever assembly 20 comprises abase plate 72, ashaft 74, a hollow shaft orbushing 76, anactuation lever 78, anactuation rack 84, aspring 94, and adoor lever 96. Theactuation lever 78 comprises a mountingaperture 80 and alock bolt 82. Thelever 78 is received about thehollow shaft 76 at the mountingaperture 80 and thelock bolt 82 secures the lever about thehollow shaft 76 by compression force. Thehollow shaft 76 is pivotal about theshaft 74. Therack 84 comprises afastener aperture 86. A fastener, such as ashoulder screw 90, connects therack 84, via theaperture 83, to anend 81 of thelever 78. - The
door lever 96 comprises ashaft aperture 99 and adoor lever cam 98 opposite theaperture 99. Thedoor lever cam 98 is mounted to rotate onshaft 97 extending fromlever 96. Thelever 96 is fixed to theshaft 76 at theaperture 99. A doorlever lock bolt 100 operates to shrink theaperture 99 to grip theshaft 76 and hold thelever 96 relative to theshaft 76. - A
spring 94 is connected to thelever 96 to bias thelever 96 and thedoor lever assembly 20 to a home position. In some embodiments, thespring 94 has anupper extension 102 and alower extension 104. Theupper extension 102 engages thelever 96 and thelower extension 104 engages a fixed component, such as thebase plate 72. When thelever 96 is moved in the direction A, aboutshaft 74, the lever moves theupper extension 102 rotationally aboutshaft 76 to cause thespring 94 to further coil. The bias of thespring 94 urges the lever in the opposite direction of the additional coiling. When the lever is not restrained by contact with thedoor 8, the spring moves thelever 96 rotationally in the direction B and thedoor lever assembly 20 to the home position, as shown inFIG. 1 . - The
base plate 72 is fixed to thefirst floor 38 by one ormore fasteners 122. Acamshaft 106 is mounted to thefirst floor 38 by abearing block assembly 124. The bearingblock assembly 124 comprises abottom bearing block 126, and atop bearing block 128. The bearing blocks 126, 128 each comprise a camshaft recesses 130, 132, respectively. Thecamshaft recess camshaft 106. As a result, the recesses may be cylindrical when the camshaft is cylindrical. Theblocks blocks fastener 134, extending into or throughapertures blocks first floor 38 to secure theblocks floor 38. The blocks then hold the camshaft in position relative to the floor and relative to therack 84. The camshaft can rotate within the bearing blocks 126, 128. - The
camshaft 106 comprises acam 22. In some embodiments, thecam 22 comprises aroller 120. First andsecond arms camshaft 106. Acentral pin 118 is fixed to the first andsecond arms roller 120 and the roller rotates about the central pin between the first andsecond arms distal end 112 of the camshaft and farther from aproximal end 108 of the camshaft. However, the cam can be located at any place along the camshaft. While the camshaft is shown with only one cam, in some embodiments multiple cams are provided along the camshaft. - An
interface element 110 is located at theproximal end 108 of the camshaft. The interface element may comprise a square, pentagon, hexagon, or other polygon cross-section to mate with a correspondingly shapedcentral aperture 93 of thepinion 92. The pinion/gear has a toothed perimeter surface. The teeth of therack 84 engage the tooth perimeter surface of the pinion to convey motion of theshaft 76 andlever 96 to thecamshaft 106. - Opposite of wall 42, about the
first floor 38, is a secondvertical wall 140. In some embodiments, there is agap 142 between thedistal end 144 of theplate 18 and thewall 140.Wall 140 is taller than wall 42 andwall 58. Thewall 140 comprises aplatform 146. Theplatform 146 supports asecond gasket 148, which may comprise rubber. The top of platform and/or the second gasket may be positioned below the top of the platform 44 and/or first gasket to account for thicker distal ends 143, 144 of theplates plates plates gaskets - Referring to
FIGS. 5, 8, 9, and 11 , subsill 26 comprises afloor 150, afirst wall 152, and asecond wall 154. The first andsecond walls top plate 14. Thesecond wall 154 comprises a top engagement portion. The top engagement portion comprises ahorizontal surface 156, arecess 160, and anangled surface 158. Theplate 14 comprises asecond wall 162. Thesecond wall 162 comprises a bottom engagement portion. The bottom engagement portion comprises anangled portion 164 and ahook end 166. When theplate 14 is connected to thesubsill 26, thehook end 166 is received in therecess 160 and rests on thesurface 156, and theangled portion 164 mates with theangled surface 158. - The
first wall 152 comprises a top engagement portion. The top engagement portion of the first wall comprises ahorizontal surface 168, arecess 172, and anangled surface 170. Theplate 14 comprises afirst wall 174 opposite of thesecond wall 162. The first wall comprises a bottom engagement portion. The bottom engagement portion comprises anangled portion 176 and ahook end 178. When theplate 14 is connected to thesubsill 26, thehook end 178 is received in therecess 172 and rests on thesurface 168, and theangled portion 176 mates with theangled surface 170. By this arrangement theplate 14 is interlocked with thesubsill 26. Thewalls plate 14 from thesubsill 26. - The
plate 16 has ashaft aperture 180 that the shafts, 76, 74 extend through. Theactuation lever 78 is located about theshaft 76 below theplate 16 and adjacent to thepinion 92. - As labeled in
FIG. 6 ,base plate 72 comprises abottom plate 182 and aside plate 184. The top of theside plate 182 comprises alip 185. Therack 84 is positioned under thelip 185 and adjacent or against the outside surface of theside plate 184. Thelip 185 may hold theteeth 88 of therack 84 engaged with thepinion 92 or otherwise prevent substantial vertical movement of the rack. Further, theside plate 184 may prevent movement of the rack transverse to the rack's longitudinal extent. Therefore, the base plate may provide a guide for the rack. The guide assists in translating the rotational movement of theactuation lever 78 to linear movement of the rack by providing a linear track comprising thelip 185 and the outside wall ofside plate 184. Theactuation lever 78 is pivotal relative to the rack at theshoulder screw 90. The linear movement of the rack is translated to rotational movement of thepinion 92 andcamshaft 106. - The
adjustable threshold device 10 is shown inFIG. 1 with adoor 8. In practice, thedoor 8 is attached to a doorjamb (not shown) via one or more hinges (not shown), which are attached to the door on ahinge side 8 b of thedoor 8. The door is pivotal about its hinged connection to the doorjamb in the direction A ofFIG. 1 . When the door is moved open in the direction A, aninterior surface 8 a of thedoor 8 will contact thedoor lever cam 98. As the door is moved further in direction A, the door will move thedoor lever 96 in the direction A rotationally about theshaft 74. The movement of thedoor lever 96 causes theshaft 76 to rotate relative toshaft 74. - The rotation of
shaft 76 causes theactuation lever 78 to rotate with theshaft 76. The movement ofactuation lever 78 about the shaft in the direction A, causes therack 84 to be moved away from thesubsill 26 in the direction C ofFIG. 5 . The movement of therack 84 in the direction C, causes thepinion 92 and thecamshaft 106 to rotate in the direction E. This causes thecam 22 to move from a lowered position, shown inFIGS. 4 and 10 , to a raised position, shown inFIGS. 2, 3, and 5 . - The movement of the
cam 22 to the raised position causes thecam 22 to contact the bottom ofplate 18 and to moveplate 18 from its lowered/recessed position, shown inFIGS. 1 and 11 , two it's raised position, shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 . When thecam 22 contacts the bottom ofplate 18, theroller 120 roles along the bottom surface of theplate 18 as thecamshaft 106 rotates. The rolling engagement of the cam relative to theplate 18 reduces friction over a non-roller cam. However, in some embodiments, a non-roller cam may be used. - Adjacent the
camshaft 106, is a stop block 186, as shown inFIG. 2 . The stop block limits the rotation of the cam in the direction E. As is shown inFIG. 2 , the stop block 186 stops the rotation of thecam 22 at a location that is past the 12 o'clock or straight vertical position. Therefore when a person walks onplate 18 or when weight is provided onplate 18, the weight applied to plate 18 will be transferred through the cam to the stop block 186. The weight will cause the cam to rotate or to want to rotate towards the stop block 186. As thecam 22 is past the 12 o'clock position the weight applied to plate 18 will not cause thecam 22 to rotate in the direction F towards the home or lowered position. The stop block 186 is fixed to or formed with thefloor 38 and the wall 42. In some embodiments, the stop block 186 stops thecam 22 at 92° from its home position. In some embodiments, thedoor lever 96 rotates 20° from its home position to its full open position aboutshaft 74. - In some embodiments, the first and
second arms cam 22 contact the stop block 186. Therefore, theroller 120 does not contact the stop block 186 and is not prevented from slight rotational movement due to a load being applied toplate 18. - When the
door 8 is moved towards a closed position in the direction B, thespring 94 will cause thelever 96 to rotate in the direction B and follow the movement of thedoor 8 until thelever 96 reaches its home position. The rotation of the lever in the direction B, will cause theshaft 76 to rotate in the direction B aboutshaft 74. This will cause the rotation of theactuation lever 78 in the direction B. The movement of theactuation lever 78 in the direction B will draw therack 84 in the direction D towardssubsill 26. The movement of therack 84 in direction D will cause thepinion 92 and thecamshaft 106 to rotate in the direction F towards the home and lowered position as shown inFIG. 10 . Theplate 18 resting on thecam 22, will lower as the cam moves with the camshaft to the lowered position. When theplate 18 is in the lowered position, it may rest on or be adjacent togaskets gaskets plate 18 andplatforms 44, 146. - In some embodiments, the
device 10 comprises a water drainage system, as shown inFIG. 11 . The water drainage system comprisesgap 141 and a plurality of water drainage apertures, 188, 190, 192.Water drainage aperture 188 is located inwall 140 at or adjacent the intersection of thewall 140 with thefloor 38 ofsubsill 24. Thewater drainage aperture 190 is located inwall 152 at or adjacent afloor 150 ofsubsill 26.Water drainage aperture 192 is located inwall 154 at or adjacent the intersection betweenwall 154 andfloor 150.Water drainage aperture 192 provides an exit from thedevice 10 allowing water to exit the device on an exterior side of thedoor 8. - The
door 8 may be provided with afirst bottom seal 194. Thefirst bottom seal 194 is attached to abottom surface 199 of thedoor 8. Thefirst bottom seal 194 is configured to engage atop surface 195 ofplate 14 to create a seal between the door andsubsill 26. The door may have aninterior lip 198. Theinterior lip 198 extends below a firstbottom surface 199 of the door. In some applications thelip 198 is integral with the door. In some applications, thelip 198 is created by a plate or other component attached to the door and extending down below the firstbottom surface 199. Thelip 198 vertically overlaps thewall 140. Asecond seal element 196 may be provided on an exterior face of thelip 198. Theseal element 196 is configured to engage thewall 140 to create a seal between the door and thesubsill 24. - If water or moisture passes the
seals 194 and/or 196, the water drainage system of thedevice 10 provides multiple water flow paths for water to exit thedevice 10. Water entering under the door onsurface 195 may fall along thefirst flow path 200 at thegap 141 between an end ofsurface 195 andwall 140. The water will fall through thegap 141 and into thechamber 206 betweenwall 140 andwall 152. The water will fall into abaffle 204. In some embodiments, the baffle comprises a sponge material. The upper surface of thethermal break 28 is slanted downward towards the exterior as shown inFIG. 11 . This causes the water in thebaffle 204 and in thechamber 206 to drain and flow towardswater drainage aperture 190. The water will flow through thewater drainage aperture 190. Since thefloor 150 ofsubsill 26 is slanted downwards towards the exterior, gravity will draw the water along thefloor 150, through theaperture 192, and out of thedevice 10. - Water that passes
gap 141 will be blocked from further interior travel by thelip 198. If the water passes theseal 196, then it will fall along asecond flow path 202 beginning in thegap 193 between thewall 140 and thelip 198. It will fall ongasket 148 andplatform 146. There may be a gap between the bottom ofdistal end 144 ofplate 18 and the top ofgasket 148, so that water may move between the plate and gasket down ontofloor 38.Floor 38 is slanted toward the exterior. Therefore, gravity will cause water accumulating on thefloor 38 to flow towards and throughaperture 188. The water will then pass through thebaffle 204 andchamber 206, throughaperture 190 along thefloor 150 by gravity towardsaperture 192 and out of thedevice 10. - The
device 10 is typically placed at a door threshold. Thedevice 10 may be located between anexterior finish surface 57 and aninterior finish floor 59. In some applications, the exterior finish surface is an exterior concrete paver.Seal elements FIGS. 2 and 11 to prevent moisture and debris from entering under thedevice 10. In some embodiments,plates plate 14 is provided withtraction ridges 191. - When the door opens it causes the
plate 18 to move to the raised position so that there is little or no drop across the threshold. This provides an unobstructed or substantially unobstructed threshold surface in the directions G and H ofFIG. 2 . The upper surface of thedistal end 144 of theplate 18 is aligned or substantially horizontally aligned with a top surface ofwall 140 and thetop surface 195 ofplate 14. Therefore thedistal end 144 of theplate 18 may be co-planar or substantially co-planar with a portion ofplate 14 that comprisestop surface 195. -
Plate 18 provides an inclined to the top ofwall 140 which is aligned or substantially aligned withsurface 195.Surface 195 continues to a slight downwardsloping surface 197, which then transitions to an exterior surface, such asexterior surface 57. This arrangement makes it easy to cross the threshold where the individual or item crossing the threshold does not have to overcome a step or abrupt change in elevation. This is particularly advantageous for a rolling items, such as a wheelchair or a cart. Moreover, this arrangement reduces a tripping hazard for those walking across the threshold. - When the door is closed, the
plate 18 is in the lowered position so that a verticalupper surface 216 ofwall 140 is exposed. The exposed verticalupper surface 216 of thewall 140 provides a ceiling surface for thelip 198 of the door to engage with. This overlapping arrangement provides improved thermal and weather sealing of the door at the threshold. - In some embodiments, the cam and camshaft are replaced by another type of linear actuator, such as a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or an electro-mechanical actuator.
- A second embodiment
adjustable threshold device 220 is shown inFIGS. 12 and 13 .Device 220 is the same asdevice 10 except as shown and described herein. Therefore the same numerals will be used for components ofdevice 220 that are the same as components ofdevice 10. In particular,device 220 comprises alinear actuator 222, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic linear actuator.Actuator 222 replaces the cam and camshaft ofdevice 10. The actuator comprises ahousing 224 containing apiston space 226. The actuator comprises apiston 228 that is movable relative to the piston space and the housing. The piston is moveable between a home/recessed position, as shown inFIG. 12 , where the piston occupies the piston space and a raised/deployed position, as shown inFIG. 13 , where the piston extends out of the housing. The distal end of the piston supports, at least partially, theplate 18 and moves the plate between the lowered position, as shown inFIG. 12 , and the raised position, as shown inFIG. 13 . The piston may contact theunderside plate 18 directly or may contact one or more intermediate components between the piston and the plate, such as acontact pad 229. - The
actuator 222 may be supported by a base 230 connected to thefloor 38. Since thefloor 38 is slanted, the bottom of the base 230 may be shaped, such as triangular shaped, to provide a top level surface for supporting theactuator 222. - In some embodiments, the
door lever assembly 20 is used with theactuator 220. However therack 84 andpinion 92 are not used, instead theactuation lever 78 operates to open a valve (not shown) to cause a fluid, such as air or liquid, to flow into the piston space to cause the piston to move to the raised position. Likewise the lever can close or open a valve to cause fluid to escape the piston space to cause the piston to move to the recessed position. - In some embodiments actuator 220 is an electro-mechanical actuator, comprising a motor (not shown), a lead screw, and a nut (not shown). The motor drives the nut to rotate. The nut is engaged with the screw. The rotation of the nut moves the screw linearly relative to the nut. Therefore the screw can move as
piston 228 moves relative to thehousing 224. In some embodiments, thedoor lever assembly 20, or a portion thereof, actuates anelectronic switch 258, which signals the electro-mechanical actuator to extend or retract the screw or piston. - In some embodiments, the
door lever assembly 20 is not used, an electronic switch orcontrol interface 258 is provided in communication with acontroller 254. The switch orcontrol 258 may be mounted on the wall or adjacent the door, which when actuated causes theactuator 222 to raise or lower. In some embodiments, the switch orcontrol interface 258 is centrally located within a building at a location that is not adjacent to the door. In some embodiments, the electronic switch orcontrol interface 258 is provided remotely from thedevice 220 or the building containing thedevice 220, and is accessible over a network, such as via a computer or mobile electronic device. - In some embodiments, a combination of electronic switches or control interfaces, electro-mechanical actuators, and hydraulic or pneumatic linear actuators can be used. For example, a
control interface 258 may signal thecontroller 254 to instruct an electro-mechanical actuator 256 to open or close a control valve that actuates the hydraulic or pneumaticlinear actuator 222. In some embodiment,multiple actuators 222 are used to raise andlower plate 18. - In some embodiments, the device comprises a sensor that reports to the
controller 254 the present state of the plate and or actuator, e.g. raised or lowered. Therefore, the controller knows that position state of theplate 18 and the actuator. In some embodiments, the controller stores in its memory at least the last state of the adjustable threshold device. - A third embodiment
adjustable threshold device 240 is shown inFIGS. 14 and 15 .Device 240 is the same asdevice 10 except as shown and described herein. Therefore the same numerals will be used for components ofdevice 240 that are the same as components ofdevice 10. In particular,device 240 comprises alinear actuator 242, such as a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electro-mechanical linear actuator. The linear actuator may be described as a ram. Theactuator 242 comprises ahousing 243 containing apiston space 244. - The
housing 243 is pivotally anchored with abase end shaft 248 to abase anchor 249. The distal end of the piston is pivotally attached to thecam 22, such as to the first and/orsecond arms central pin 118. - The
actuator 242 has a retracted position, as shown inFIG. 14 , where thepiston 246 is within thepiston space 244 and an extended position, as shown inFIG. 15 , where the piston is extended from the piston space. The piston rotates, at least partially, about thecamshaft 106. Therefore when moving to the extended position the piston moves forward, in the direction ofvertical wall 140, and down. When moving to the retracted position, the piston moves backward and up. The home or retracted position of the piston is a raised position and corresponds to the raised position of theplate 18. The extended position of the piston corresponds to the lowered position of theplate 18. - In some embodiments, an electronic motor (not shown) drives an output shaft that comprises an output gear (not shown) that is enmeshed with
pinion 92 ofdevice 10. A switch orcontrol interface 258, usually via acontroller 254, signals the motor to rotate the output shaft in either rotational direction to cause the camshaft to rotate, which causes the cam to raise or lower. In some embodiments, if the door lever assembly is used, arack 84 is not used, but rather the assembly engages theswitch 258. Theactuation lever 78 may engage the switch or the switch may be configured to otherwise detect the rotational movement of theshaft 76 without the use of anactuation lever 78. - In some embodiments, an
interior motion sensor 250 and/or anexterior motion sensor 252 is used. In some embodiments, themotion sensor - The
motion sensors controller 254, such as by wired or wireless communication. The motion sensors are configured to detect motion within asensing field FIG. 16 . The sensing fields extend in front of thedoor 8 on an exterior and/or and interior side of the door. The sensing fields may be wider or narrower than is shown inFIG. 16 . The sensing fields may extend closer or farther from the door than is shown inFIG. 16 . One skilled in the art will recognize the sensing field scope and area may be configured as desired for a given application. In some embodiments, the motion sensors have multiple sensing fields, which may overlap. Thesensors wall 260 above the door opening, but they may be mounted in other places as long as the sensing fields are directed to area(s) in front of the door. -
Motion sensors controller 254 when motion is detected with the sensing fields. Motion may be detected when a person or object approaches the door and is within or partially within, the sensing field. When the motion sensor detects motion within the sensing field, the motion sensor will send a signal to thecontroller 254. Then the controller will send instructions to cause the linear actuator to raise theplate 18 to the raised position. The controller may send instructions to the linear actuator itself, as in the case of an electro-mechanical linear actuator, or to an intermediate component that will then cause the linear actuator to actuate, such as by signaling theintermediate actuator 256 that actuates a valve that controls thelinear actuator plate 18, the controller may instruct the linear actuator to raise theplate 18 to the raised position. After a pre-determined amount of time has passed without the controller receiving a signal from the motion sensor(s) indicating motion within the sensing field, the controller will send a signal to cause the linear actuator to lower theplate 18. The controller may then send a signal to the door actuator to close thedoor 8. - In some embodiments,
controller 254 comprises a processor, a memory, and a wired and/or wireless transceiver. Each of the processor, a memory, and a wired and/or wireless transceiver are connected to each other by one or more internal communication channels. The memory may comprise a non-volatile memory such as flash memory and/or a volatile memory such as RAM. Such components are in communication with one another across one or more communication channels. In some embodiments, the controller comprises a battery and or is connectable to an external power source. Other architectures for the controller are possible, including architectures with more or fewer components. - In some embodiments, the controller comprises an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having one or more processors and memory blocks including ROM, RAM, EEPROM, Flash, or the like; a programmed general purpose computer having a microprocessor, microcontroller, or other processor, a memory, and an input/output device; a programmable integrated electronic circuit; a programmable logic device; or the like. Any device or combination of devices on which a finite state machine capable of implementing the procedures described herein can be used as the controller.
- From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. For example, one or more component or embodiments may be combined, modified, removed, or supplemented to form further embodiments within the scope of the invention. As a further example, steps provided could be carried out in a different order to achieve desired results. Further, steps could be added or removed from the processes described. Therefore, other embodiments and implementations are within the scope of the invention.
Claims (23)
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US15/728,851 US10370891B2 (en) | 2017-10-10 | 2017-10-10 | Adjustable threshold device |
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US10370891B2 US10370891B2 (en) | 2019-08-06 |
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US10895103B2 (en) * | 2017-04-13 | 2021-01-19 | Paul Boulos ALKHOURY | Modular threshold assembly |
US11085229B2 (en) * | 2018-07-23 | 2021-08-10 | Endura Products, Llc | Threshold and threshold cap assembly |
US10844649B1 (en) * | 2018-08-05 | 2020-11-24 | Jamsill, Inc. | Sill pan concealment system and method for concealing a sill pan wall across a threshold |
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US20180135347A1 (en) * | 2016-11-11 | 2018-05-17 | Oldcastle Buildingenvelope, Inc. | Architectural terrace door |
US10745961B2 (en) * | 2016-11-11 | 2020-08-18 | Oldcastle Buildingenvelope, Inc. | Architectural terrace door |
US10954712B2 (en) | 2016-11-11 | 2021-03-23 | Oldcastle Buildingenvelope, Inc. | Architectural terrace door |
US20200270932A1 (en) * | 2019-02-23 | 2020-08-27 | Gregory A Header | Continuous Sill for Doors with Sidelites |
US10822862B2 (en) * | 2019-02-23 | 2020-11-03 | Gregory A Header | Continuous sill for doors with sidelites |
US20210140226A1 (en) * | 2019-11-11 | 2021-05-13 | Endura Products, Llc | System for a configurable door sill |
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